Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 3 April, 2010
Reebok Stadium, 3pm Kick-Off

Bolton will be aiming to put last weekend's defeat against Champions Manchester United behind them when top-four chasing Aston Villa head to the Reebok on Saturday afternoon.

The defeat to the men from Old Trafford signalled the end of a six-match unbeaten run on home soil, and with three matches left to play at the Reebok this season, the challenge is to embark on another streak of positive results.

Saturday's opponents will be deeply wounded and Wanderers will be wary of a backlash following their 7-1 defeat by title challengers Chelsea last weekend, even though Manager Owen Coyle believes that the scoreline flattered Chelsea.

Martin O'Neill was critical of his side in the immediate wake of the match, saying: "It was a desperately poor performance against admittedly a fine side. We are devastated and we have to fight back from this."

Although early season form had confirmed their credentials as Champions League qualification contenders, Villa now lie seven points off the division's much-coveted fourth spot, level on points with Liverpool. The Midlands club, together with Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester City, have lost less away games than any other club in the Premier League this season.

Villa could be without the services of five key players for Saturday's clash. Midfielder James Milner, defender Richard Dunne and forward trio Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew will all be assessed ahead of kick-off.

Bolton, meanwhile, will be hoping to regain the momentum which was created as a result of those wins at Upton Park and the Reebok. Despite improved home form, the Trotters have lost three of their last four games but victory, however, will give the club a total of 35 points, ensuring that Premier League safety is on the horizon.

Wanderers are able to call upon full-back Gretar Steinsson, back from suspension, whilst Johan Elmander will also be available after receiving six stitches to a cut sustained in the defeat to Manchester United. However, the home side will have to do without Stuart Holden, Ricardo Gardner and Chris Basham, all of whom continue to recover from injury. Manager Coyle also stated that left-back Paul Robinson needs to train in order to be considered for selection.

Zat Knight Gary Cahill

Should Manager Owen go with the same centre-half pairing, Gary Cahill and Zat Knight will be facing their former club.

Since moving up the M6 to the Reebok Stadium, Cahill has made a tremendous impact with commanding performances catching the attention of England's Italian manager Fabio Capello. Knight signed for Wanderers in 2009 after a career which began at Fulham, for whom he made 150 league appearances, and then took him to Villa, where he spent two seasons. He recently notched his first goal for Bolton, a vital side-footed winner against Wolves in February.

The last four league meetings at the Reebok Stadium have ended in score draws. Wanderers' last victory over the Villains came in December 2006 when Gary Speed's 75th minute penalty in front of the away fans secured a 1-0 win at Villa Park.

The match officials for the encounter will be led by Mike Jones who has taken charge of games involving Bolton on two occasions this season, at the KC Stadium and at Eastlands. The Chester-born referee has handed out 98 cards in 2009/10, averaging over three a game.

i support the trotters

am so disappointed dominique !